Electric switch.



F. KRAEMER.

ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATlON FILED ms. 25. 191-6.

1,208,576. Patented Dec. 12,1916.

m: nouns runs mvv PMDYD mo; wiawmu mm a c UNITED STATES PATENT omen.

FRANK KRAEMER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO PAN-AMERICAN TOOL COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN,

A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

Application filed March 25, 1916. Serial No. 86,547.

State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification. a

This invention relates to electric switches and has for its object the provision of a switch adapted tomake and break a circuit with sufiicient rapidity to insure against sparking and consequent burning of the contacts.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of compact and simple construction whereby the circuit will be rapidly closed when the switch is manually actuated and automatically and rapidly broken when the switch is released.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a manually operable switch to make and break a plurality of circuits, the

rapidity of the circult-making and breaking operation being independent of the will of the operator and of means connected to one of the circuit-controlling means of the switch to vary the quantity of the current flowing therethrough.

Further ob 'ects and advantages of my invention will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to the following specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the switch according to my invention; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the circuit-closing means; Fig. 3 is a side elevation, partially .in section, of a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1 showing a lif'ferent position of the contact members, and Fig. -l is a diagrammatic view illustrating one application of the switch.

Referring to the drawing 1 indicates a suitable base, preferably of metal, provided with arms 2 to which the grip 3 is secured. Mounted on the base 1 is a support 4: of insulating material for the resistance coils 5 and 6, the purpose of which will be hereafter more fully explained.

. Slidably mounted in a suitable bearing 7 1n the base 1 is a plunger 8 having an operating handle 9 which may be grasped by the fingers of the operator and drawn toward the grip 3 to actuate the mechanism. A pint), disposed through the bearing 7 and engaging a slot 10 in the plunger 8 limits the longitudinal movement and prevents rotation thereof. The plunger 8 is biased to the position indicated in Fig. 1 by a spring 11 disposed between the bearing 7 and a shoulder 12 on an insulating member 13 secured to the plunger 8. I

A plate 14 of conducting material is secured to the end of the insulating member 13 and is provided with contact members 15 and 16 extending laterally therefrom. Secured to the insulating support 4 on either side of the insulating member 13 are metallic supports 17 and 18 upon which the contact arms 19 and 20 are pivotally mounted. Adjustable screws 21 in the path of the ends 22 of the arms 19 and 20 limit the movement of the arms in the direction in. which they are biased by springs 23 secured to the supports 17 and 18. Pivotally mounted on the arms 19 and; 20 are auxiliary contact arms 24 and 25 biased in the direction of the contact arms 19 and 20 by springs 26 and retained in properly spaced relation with the contact arms 19 and 20 by shoulders 27 formed thereon. Plates 28 and 29 of insulating material are secured to the auxiliary contact arms 24 and 25. A fixed contact member 30 is secured to the insulating support 4 in the path of the contact arm 20.

The operation of the above-described mechanism will be readily apparent from the following brief description: When the operator desires to close the circuits he draws the handle 9' toward the grip 3, thus carrying the plunger 8 and the contact members 15 and 16 toward the auxiliary contact arms 24 and 25, incidentally compressing the spring 11. The plates 28 and 29 of insulating material are so disposed as to be in the path of the, contact members 15 and 16 and hence the circuit is not immediately closed. Continued movement of the contact from a source of current.

members 15 and 16, however, depresses the auxiliary contact arms 24 and 25 and also the contact arms 19 and andwhen a predetermined position has been reached the contact members 15 vand 16 will ride off of the insulating plates 28 and 29 and will engage the contact arms 19 and 20 to close the circuit with sufiicient rapidity to prevent sparking. Upon further movement of the plunger 8 the contact arm 20 will engage the fiXGCl contact member 30. hen the operator desires to break the circuit the bandle 9 is released and the spring 11 returns zthQpaEtS to ,normal position. The contact members 15 and 16 remainfin engagement with the contact arms '19 andQO and the auxiliary contact arms 24 and until ,-a predetermined position isreached. At this position the contact arms 19 andQO are stopped'by the adjustable screws 21 and the auxiliary contact armsf24 and 25 are thereafter moved against i-the tension of the springs 26 until the contact members 15 and '16 ride past the ends .of the auxiliary contact arms 24 ,and 25 whereupon the circuit is quickly'broken. V

I have illustrated in F ig. 4 an application of my switch in circuits employed in controlling an velectric (tool (not shown). In order that the. switch may be readily connected to the circuits I provide binding posts 31,32,33 and 34:. Thebi-ndingpost 31 is connected by a suitable conductor 35 to the plate 14, carryingthe contact members 15 and 16 and by a conductor 36 .to a lead37 The contact arm 20 is connected by a suitable conductor38 to the resistance coil 5 which is in turn connected in series with the resistancecoil 6. ,A conductor 39 connects the fixed contact member 30 tothe resistance coils 5 and ,6 intermediate thereof. A conductor 40 connects the 'ffree end .of the resistance coil .6 to the binding post 3% and from the binding post 31 a conductoril l leadsto ,a ,motorQ which is employed in operating the automatic circuit maker and breaker (notvshown) and controlsthe speed of operation of the tool. A conductor 42 connects the motor 42, to the binding post 33 which is connected byaconductor -13 to a lead 4 1 from the source of current. .It will be apparent,rtherefore that when thecontact member 16 engages, the contact arm20 a circuit including the motor will be closed through thereslstance coils 5.,and 6,,and that-when the contact armr20 engages the fixed contact member-130,theiresistance .COll 5 :will be cut out allowing a alarger quantityiof current tocflow to thermotor withsa consequent increase of speedythereof. The blnding ;post :32 i is connected by. asuitable conductoriiato the contactiarm ,l9iand by conductor a6 to a the solenoid 1 coil 471 form ing a part of the electric tool. The free end of the solenoid coil 47 is connected by a conductorS to'the-conductor 4C2 leadingto the binding post 33. Consequently when the contact member 15 engages the contact arm 19 .a circuit is closed through the solenoid coil t7. I p v It will be apparent from the foregoing that I have perfected a switch for rapidly making. and breaking a plurality of circuits and for varying the quantity of current flow- :ingrthroug-h one of the circuits. obviously my invention may be employed to close a slngle circuit'with or without the resistance colls.

I am aware ,that var ous changes 1n ,the

form and proportionofparts and inthedetails, of construction o'f my invention may be made without departing from the spirit :or sacr ficing the advantages thereof and I,

therefore, reserveithe right to make all such tionbf said contact member, an auxiliary contact arm inthepath JOf S id Q lt Q 11. .bervpivotallyvconnected to and biased toward said first-mentiond contact arm, insulating means oncne face ofsai'd auxiliary contact arm, and means for actuating said contact member.

:2. In an electric switch, the combination of ,a reciprocable contact member biased in one direction, a pivoted contact arm extendintojthe path ofiand biased in the direction of said contactmember, an auxiliary contact arm in the path ofsaid contact m m ber pivotally connectedto and biased toward said first-mentioned contact arm insulating means ,on one :face of said auxiliary contact arm, means for actuating said contact member, and a fixed contact member in'the path of said contact 3. In an ,electric switch, the combination .of.-a,recip1:ocable contact member biased in one direction, a pivoted contact arm extending into, the path of and biased in the vdirection of said contact member, an. auxiliary .contact arm in the path of said contact member pivotally connected to and biased toward said first-mentioned contactiarm, insulating means on one 'face- .of said auxiliary contact ,arm, means for actuating said contact member,a fixed, contact member 1n the path of saidacontactuarm, and means connected to saidcontactjarm, and fixed contact member (tor gulatethe flow of current through the switch.

4. In an electric switch, the combination I of a reciprocable plunger, a contact member secured thereto, a spring to normally retain said plunger in a predetermined position, manually operable means to move said plunger against said spring, a pivoted contact arm extending into the path of and biased in the direction of said contact member, an auxiliary contact arm in the path of said contact member pivotally connected to and biased in the direction of said first-men-' tioned contact arm, and an insulating member on the face of said auxiliary contact arm adapted to be first engaged by said contact member as it is moved by said manually operable means.

5. In an electric switch, the combination of a reciprocable plunger, a contact member secured thereto, a spring to normally retain said plunger in a predetermined position, manually operable means to move said plunger against said spring, a pivoted contact arm extending into the path of and biased in the direction of said contact member, an auxiliary contact arm in the path of said contact member pivotally connected to and biased in the direction of said first-mentioned contact arm, an insulating member on the face of said auxiliary contact arm adapted to be first engaged by said contact member as it is moved by said manually operable means, and a fixed contact member in the path of said contact arm.

6. In an electric switch, the combination of a reciprocable plunger, a contact member secured thereto, a spring to normally retain said plunger in a predetermined position, manually operable means to move said plunger against said spring, a pivoted contact arm extending into the path of and biased in the direction of said contact member, an auxiliary contact arm in the path of said contact member pivotally connected to and biased in the direction of said first-mentioned contact arm, an insulating member on the face of said auxiliary contact arm adapted to be first engaged by said contact member as it is moved by said manually operable means, a fixed contact member in the path of said contact arm, and resistance elements connected to said contact arm and fixed contact member.

7. In an electric switch, the combination of a reciprocable plunger, a contact member secured thereto, a spring to normally retain said plunger in a predetermined position, manually operable means to move said plunger against said spring, a pivoted contact arm extending into the path of said contact member, a spring engaging said contact arm to move it toward said contact member, a stop to limit the movement of said contact arm, an auxiliary contact arm pivotally mounted on said first-mentioned contact arm in the path of said contact member, a spring to resiliently maintain said contact and auxiliary contact arms in predetermined relative positions, and an insulating member on the face of said auxiliary contact arm adapted to be first engaged by said contact member as it is moved by said manually operable means.

8. In an electric switch, the combination of a reciprocable plunger, a contact member secured thereto, a spring to normally retain said plunger in a predetermined position, manually operable means to move said plunger against said spring, a pivoted contact arm extending into the path of said contact member, a spring engaging said contact arm to move it toward said contact member, a stop to limit the movement of said contact arm, an auxiliary contact arm pivotally mounted on said first-mentioned contact arm in the path of said contact member, a spring to resiliently maintain said contact and auxiliary contact arms in pre determined relative positions, an insulating member on the face of said auxiliary contact arm adapted to be first engaged by said contact member as it is moved by said manually operable means, and a fixed contact member in the path of said contact arm.

9. In an electric switch, the combination of a reciprocable plunger, a contact member secured thereto, a sprin to normally retain said plunger in a pre etermined position, manually operable means to move said plunger against said spring. a pivoted contact arm extending into the path of said contact member, a spring engaging said contact arm to move it toward said contact member, a stop to limit the movement of said contact arm, an auxiliary contact arm pivotally mounted on said first-mentioned contact arm in the path of said contact member, a spring to resiliently maintain said contact and auxiliary contact arms in predetermined relative positions, an insulating member on the face of said auxiliary contact arm adapted to be first engaged by said contact member as it is moved by said manually operable means, a fixed contact member in the path of said contact arm, and resistance elements connected to said contact arm and fixed contact member.

10. In an electric switch, the combination of a reciprocable plunger, contact members secured thereto, a spring to normally retain said plunger in a predetermined position, manually operable means to move said plunger against said spring, pivoted contact arms extending into the path of said contact members, springs engaging said contact arms to move them toward said contact members, stops to limit the movement of said contact arms, auxiliary contact arms pivotally mounted on said first-mentioned contact arms in the path of said contact members, springs to resiliently maintain .me nbers on the faces of said auxiliary contactarms adapted to be first engaged by said contact members asthey are moved by sald manually operable means, a fixed contact memberin the :path of one of said contact arms, and resistance elements connected to said fixed contact member and its cooperating contact arm.

FRANK KRAEMER. Witnesses VVM. O. BELT, M. A. KIDDIE.

Eopjes 01 thispatent may be obtained for five cents each, byraddressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington,,]). 0. 

